What can I see and do at the Village?

Fall is a busy time at the Village and COVID hasn’t slowed us down. Our costumed historians are interpreting spaces and demonstrating skills and crafts across the Village. We have introduced new outdoor programs and activities to take advantage of our large campus. Buildings are now open, so you can explore our homes and chat with costumed historians inside too. Please respect posted capacity limits and requests from staff to wait your turn to enter crowded spaces.

Visitors can also explore our nature trails; meet cattle, sheep, chickens, and pigs; play games; listen to performances; relax by the mill pond; stroll through our gardens; and so much more!

What if it rains?

Old Sturbridge Village is open rain or shine. If you would like to reschedule your visit due to weather, please email [email protected] or call 508-347-0213 by 4:00 pm on that date. Rescheduling is subject to availability. Tickets are nonrefundable.

What if I or a member of my party becomes ill and cannot visit on the day we intended?

Please stay home if you, or someone in your party, is ill. If you are unable to visit on the day you purchased your ticket for, you may email [email protected] or call 508-347-0213 to reschedule your ticket. Rescheduling is subject to availability. Standard daytime admission tickets are nonrefundable.

Is food or dining available?

The Bullard Tavern Café, located inside the Village and open for lunch, features family-favorites like paninis, salads, chicken tenders, mac and cheese, pot pies, beverages, and desserts. Ox & Yoke Café, located next to Ox & Yoke Mercantile and across from the Visitor Center entrance, features freshly baked sweet and savory baked goods, freshly roasted coffee, beer, wine, and more.

Learn more about dining options and hours of operation here.

Eating and drinking are not permitted in historic buildings and exhibits. As always, guests are allowed to bring picnics to eat outside.

Is water available for purchase? Are drinking fountains available?

There are several water fountains on the Village campus. You may also bring your own water with you. Bottled beverages are available for purchase at the Miner Grant Store, Ox & Yoke Café, the Bullard Tavern, and the Scoop Shop.

Are there any admission discounts available?

Learn about available discounts on standard daytime admission here.

What is your refund policy?

Standard daytime admission tickets are nonrefundable but can be applied to another date than originally intended if necessary. Click here for details.

How long should I plan to visit?

We typically recommend allowing at least 2 to 3 hours for exploring Old Sturbridge Village. Some choose to stay the whole day.

When is the Village open? What are your admission rates?

You can check our current and upcoming hours, as well as our daytime admission rates, here.

Is there parking for RVs and campers at the Village?

Yes. There is plenty of free parking, with spaces reserved for larger vehicles. While there are no facilities for overnight camping at the Village, there are a number of nearby campgrounds. For more information, visit the Sturbridge Townships website.

Are pets allowed at the Village?

While service animals are welcome on Old Sturbridge Village property, pets and emotional support animals are not permitted.

What is the Village's policy regarding photography?

Visitors are welcome to take photographs of their visit to the Village, but a Photography pass and appointment are required for the use of additional professional equipment like tripods, lighting, etc. Please view our photo policies here for more details.

Please note that visitors may be photographed, videotaped, or otherwise recorded while in the museum. While in the Village, you grant the museum permission to use photographs and/or audiovisual recordings in which you appear for archival, documentary, publicity, advertising, or other purposes.

Is there anything else I should know before visiting for the first time?

Old Sturbridge Village is an outdoor, living history museum and learning resource that invites all visitors to find meaning, pleasure, relevance, and inspiration in the exploration of New England’s past. It is a nonprofit, educational museum that is open year-round. The centerpiece of the museum is a re-created rural New England town of the 1830s set on more than 200 acres of historical landscape, encompassing a Center Village, Mills Area, and Countryside. Read more about us.

When you visit Old Sturbridge Village, you will see costumed historians (sometimes called “interpreters”) throughout the Village, working in trade shops, on the farm, or cooking in front of a fire. Even though they wear clothing like people wore in the 1830s, they are just like you, but they know a lot about New England history. They are not acting as a character or pretending to be a person from the past. They speak in the present tense and can help you compare life in the 1800s to life in the 21st century. Most of them are paid staff members but also some are volunteers. Don’t be afraid to ask them lots of questions! They will help to enrich your experience of the past.

Other polices to keep in mind:

• Please do not walk or climb on fences, stone walls and trees.
• Walk carefully on the Village’s natural roadways. We suggest wearing comfortable shoes!
• Please do not touch or feed the farm and wild animals!
• Silence all mobile devices to help us preserve the 1830s experience.
• No weapons are permitted on Old Sturbridge Village’s property with exemptions from this policy to include all law enforcement agents.

Is there lodging available?

We encourage you to stay at the Comfort Inn (a corporate partner of the Village) or one of the other hotels in Sturbridge. Visit the Experience Sturbridge Website for more information.

Is there a policy about handing out flyers, stickers, pamplets, tracts or other items from outsidef organizations and groups?

Unless prior permission is granted by management of Old Sturbridge Village or Old Sturbridge Academy, handing out items or pamphlets of any nature to staff, students, or visitors is not permitted.

Where can I learn more about the Village's mission, guiding principles, and history?

Click here to read more about our mission, guiding principles, and history.

What if I have a question that is not answered here?

Please email [email protected] or call 508-347-0213 to speak with a Visitor Services staff member.